ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Iowa on Friday (April 23), falling 5-2 and 5-3 at the Wilpon Baseball Complex, home of historic Ray Fisher Stadium.

Junior pitchers Matt Gerbe(Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower) and Kolby Wood(Eau Claire, Mich./Berrien Springs) had extended scoreless outings from the bullpen. Gerbe gave up three hits while striking out one in four innings of relief in the opener, before Wood went three innings and struck out five on the backend of the doubleheader.

Sophomore designated hitter Coley Crank(Pinole, Calif./Pinole Valley) hit his team-leading seventh home run in the nightcap and senior second baseman Mike Kittle(Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) scored twice and had three hits on the day. Junior leftfielder Ryan LaMarre(Jackson, Mich./Lumen Christi) came up a home run short of the cycle in the second game of the day.

Michigan fell behind early in game one as Iowa put two on the board in the top of the first. Michigan got one back on a LaMarre sacrifice to score freshman centerfielder Patrick Biondi(Woodhaven, Mich./Divine Child) from first. Iowa put up runs in the second and third to take a 4-1 lead in the early goings. The Wolverines sparked a rally with two outs in the fifth, stringing a Kittle single and a double by sophomore third baseman John Lorenz(Frankfurt, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) together to set up Biondi to drive in a run. The rookie's bunt took a low hop through the legs of the charging Hawkeye pitcher, allowing the run to score easily. Iowa put up another score of its own in the top of the sixth before Gerbe came on to toss four scoreless innings in relief.

In game two, Crank led off the second inning by ripping the second pitch he saw over the fence in right-centerfield to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. Kittle followed the solo shot with a walk and, after stealing second, scored from third on a groundout by redshirt senior Nick Urban(Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall). The U-M lead lasted until Iowa scored one in the fourth and four in the fifth frame to take a 5-2 lead. Michigan drew closer with a trio of singles in the eighth that scored LaMarre but could not pick up anymore ground despite sending the leading run to the plate. Wood and junior pitcher Tyler Burgoon(Defiance, Ohio/Defiance) pitched the final four innings, combining to strike out seven Hawkeyes.

The two schools will meet tomorrow (Saturday, April 24) for the series finale at 1:05 p.m. at the Wilpon Baseball Complex. Beginning at noon, an Ann Arbor Fire Truck and Huron Valley Ambulance will be on hand to teach children tips on being safe as well as giving tours of the vehicles and equipment. The first 400 fans will receive a free Michigan Baseball mini bat. To purchase individual tickets, please call 866-296-MTIX or visit mgoblue.com/tickets.